26. March 2025
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Joe Ely – Driven To Drive

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Joe Ely - Driven To Drive

Joe Ely - Driven To Drive
4.1

Rating

 4.1/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Nice blending of Americana sounds
  • Good storytelling
  • Very versatile listen.

Americana songs with a rocking touch – that’s the music by Joe Ely. The Southern USA artist released his new album Driven To Drive on 2nd August 2024. I already had a listen and share my thoughts with you.

 

Joe Ely – About The Artist

Joe Ely was born on 9th February 1947 in Amarillo, Texas. He moved to Lubbock in teenage years, where he formed the band The Flatlanders in 1971. In 1977, Ely released his solo debut album, Joe Ely. Overall, he has released 16 studio albums so far. For the collaboration with the super group Los Super Seven, he received a Grammy Award for the Best Mexican / Mexican-American Album in 1999.

 

Joe Ely – Driven To Drive – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 40 minutes.

1. Drivin’ Man

Strumming guitars, a witty harmonica and some nice accordion passages – the opener Drivin’ Man feels very handmade, very personal. The country and Americana vibes are undeniable. The song is not exciting, not loud. It rather strikes with its fine songwriting and plot. And it definitely makes you look forward to the eleven tracks ahead.

2. Odds of the Blues (feat. Bruce Springsteen)

If you record a song with The Boss, you are likely not too small in the music business. Thus, this second song of the album is definitely a special one. More rocking than the opener, but also coming with strong blues-rock vibes. Odds of the Blues feels being right in Bruce Springsteen’s comfort zone. Great song.

3. For Your Love

Even though the song title might suggest a rather emotional, slower track, the strumming guitars give quite a nice pace. The song stays in the blues-rock sphere. Nice storytelling as well.

4. Watchin’ Them Semis Roll

Watchin’ Them Semis Roll opens with a fine, easy melody. Blues and country vibes are merged to a rather traditional sound. The plot of the sound is rather inspired by the repetitive style of Delta Blues styles. With just over two minutes, the fourth song is a rather short one.

5. Didn’t We Robbie

DIdn’t We Robbie is a fun rock’n’roll track. Its vibes are catching, the piano and organ sound again lead to a rather traditional listen. You immediately feel like partying in a Western saloon.

6. Nashville Is A Catfish

I have read many things about Music City, but Nashville Is A Catfish is a new thought to me. The song is rather calm and combines accordion sounds with a fine melody. There is some presence on the instruments, but overall, Joe Ely is focusing on his story – which also holds a couple of other metaphors for Nashville.

7. Ride Motorcycle

What would you expect of a song named Ride Motorcycle? A cool rocking track, just made for a sunny road trip? Some Easy Rider feeling? That’s about was the US-American artist is delivering on the seventh track of Driven To Drive. And it is indeed fun to listen to this one, which has a slightly darker touch as well.

8. San Antone Brawl

The eighth song is reducing the instrumental power again. Blues vibes mix with country music ones and focus on the story of San Antone Brawl. The listen is rather virtuous on  the melody side, while the vocal part is rather calm.

9. Slave to the Western Wind

The Western music style continues with Slave to the Western Wind. After a rather slow beginning, especially the rhythm of the song is leading to really nice and zesty vibes.

10. Gulf Coast Blues

As the song title suggests, the ten song is a die-hard blues track. Gulf Coast Blues is one of the slowest songs of the album, majorly driven by the acoustic guitar only. This leads to a special feeling. You simply calm down and listen to Joe Ely.

11. Driven to Drive

Finally, there is the title track of the album. The song is going back to a rather country-rock touch. The song is an easy and cool listen with a good melody. Nice.

12. Jackhammer Rock

The Jackhammer Rock closes the album with a late 1980’s-alike pop-rock sound. There are even some synth elements in this one. Joe Ely surprises with a very different sound at the end of Driven To Drive, though you can still feel a bit of his signature in this one.

 

Joe Ely – Driven To Drive – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Joe Ely – Driven To Drive – My View

Driven To Drive is a very enjoyable listen. I like the versatility in it. Nonetheless, it does not feel random. If you like Americana sounds and rather tend to listen to more traditional sounds, then this album is definitely worth a listen.

Favorite Song: Ride Motorcycle

 

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